Revised Common Lectionary Links

Comment: Professor Kathryn M. Schifferdecker calls us to consider what restoration says about Job. “Job chooses against all odds to live again. Job (and his wife) choose to bear children into a world full of heart-rending beauty and heart-breaking pain.” (http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=1455) In Green’s novel, readers glimpse these choices of love and living in the midst of dying and grief. As Hazel’s dad comforts her, he speaks of this experience, “I hate it. But it was sure a privilege to love him…” (p. 278) This text and novel invite us to share our own experience of living with hope in the midst of grief and heart ache.

Comment: As you read this passage with children, consider what it tells us about Jesus. This text invites us to explore the ideas of intercession and sacrifice. When Erandi’s mother is unable to sell her own hair, Erandi intercedes on her behalf, sacrificing her beloved braids so the family might receive enough money to repair their fishing net. In what ways have your own congregants experienced intercession or sacrifice? Wonder together about the ways Erandi’s story intersects with Jesus’ story and our own stories.

Comment: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me… let me see again.” Bartimaeus cries out to Jesus for mercy and when he’s hushed by the crowd, he just gets louder. He believes Jesus can restore his sight. Jesus responds to his faithful persistence by healing him. Like Bartimaeus, Scrawny Cat hopes for restoration of a life he once had. Like Bartimaeus, Scrawny Cat is hushed by those around him. Like Bartimaeus, Scrawny Cat has faithful persistence and eventually it pays off. As the story ends, he is no longer scrawny, no longer nameless, and his sense of belonging has been restored. As you reflect upon the experience of Bartimaeus and Scrawny Cat, invite those in your church to share their own stories of faithful persistence .

The Lectionary Links this week are written by regular contributor Noell Rathbun-Cook.